Chapter 33
Elegant Entertainment
Yuke was standing in front of Academia, his thoughts keeping him occupied while he pondered on matters.
"Well, I see you're planning things, as usual, my darling," Seiko spoke from behind him. Instead of approaching further, she stood a few feet behind him, hands on her hips."I suppose the mission isn't going as planned?"
"We've underestimated the Lancers. And as such, the were casualties on our side and our number have been reduced." He shook his head."However, the path of chaos seems to be in turmoil, contrary to your words. The world must be purged for the filth to be cleansed, and for I to remain as the sole being in it." He took out the card that Serena had given him before sending her away."Or that what I would have said before. I was introduced to a new concept of life; a new perspective. If the power of friendship can truly surpass expectations, I wonder if chaos can overcome that or vice-versa."
"You're really worried about Serena?" Seiko sighed in exasperation."Here I thought you were emotionless and heartless, but you have fallen for the cute little indigo girl. You remind me of good old Hiraki."
"Hiraki. She mentioned that name." Yuke looked over his shoulder."Whatever happened to him?"
"I had him killed by the Dragon Twins." She said casually."You know. The ones you carded."
"I see." Yuke began walking away, putting the card back in his pocket.
Seiko stomped on the floor like a child, pouting."Hey! Don't ignore me! Where are you going?"
"To settle things." He simply replied."If you want something done, you better do it yourself."
Seiko allowed herself a grin on her face."Well, can I expect you to come back soon?"
"No. This is the last time we'll see each other, Seiko." He stopped walking."Once the job is done, the Professor shall begin with his plan and then we'll have no need of this group any longer. Farewell." With that, he teleported away.
"How sad. And I was thinking we were becoming besties." She faked cry."Well, whatever. Now I can finally go on forth with the real plan. I do wonder if he will prevail in this fight...or if he will fall like the rest of them."
"Can't...breathe...too...heavy..." Cody wheezed in pain, lifting his D-Wheel enough so he could get out of under it. Once he did, he took a moment to catch his breath and looked over his body."Still in one piece." He groggily looked around the area, realizing he was near the ocean and warehouses."I'm at the docks...of what dimension? Speaking of, where are the others? We...teleported before but...how long have I been out for?" He got up and left his D-Wheel in parking, taking a few steps forward.
"This place really looks different. I wonder if I'm in the Fusion Di-" Before he could finish his sentence, a group of terrified screams echoed through the area."What was that just now? I better go see!" He ran as fast as he could over the long path of the warehouses until eventually, he reached the end. There, stood Yuri, holding some cards in his hands. But what caught more his attention was who was facing him. Yuzu, along with a blonde girl whom he had never seen before, stood against him with terrified expressions.
"Hey, get away from them!" Cody cried out to Yuri, menacingly standing behind him."You are...that guy!"
"That guy?" Yuri looked annoyed."I have a name you know, it's Yuri. And when did you get here? I thought Daisuke took care of you?"
"That's...Cody!" Yuzu said in glee."He's okay!"
"You know him?" Asuka inquired to the pink-haired girl."He looks like he's ready to take on Yuri."
Yuri looked over his shoulder, making Yuzu wince."I'm taking you, Yuzu. After I'm done with this one." Yuri activated his Duel Disk."After all, what I had just now was barely enough to kill time."
"Yeah, well this will be your last fun, you prick!" Cody activated his Duel Disk, gritting his teeth.
"You bastard!" A loud voice roared along with a loud engine. All of them turn in time to get out of the way as Yugo approached the scene. Before Yuri could act, he was teleported away and left Cody almost being run over by Yugo's D-Wheel.
"W-watch where you going!" Cody jumped back and landed on his back."Yugo? Yugo?!"
Yugo removed his helmet and gave his childhood friend a toothy grin."Yep, the one and only. I'm glad to see you're okay, Cody. And Yuzu too."
"Yuzu..." Cody shifted his gaze over to her, tears threatening to fall from his eyes."Yuzu! I'm so happy to see you again!" He rushed over, nearly tripping a couple of times.
"Cody..." She whispered before a smile invaded her face. Cody grabbed her by the waist and began spinning her around, both of them laughing happily and enjoying each other's presence.
"Stop it, Cody! You're going to make me dizzy!" Yuzu said in between giggles.
"Are you two really doing this right now?" Asuka deadpanned, taking both teenagers by surprise. Cody quickly put Yuzu back down and rubbed the back of his neck while Yuzu remained flustered.
Yugo simply smiled knowingly."I thought for sure that Academia had gotten their hands on you..."
"You shouldn't say such ominous stuff." Said Yuzu with a stern expression.
Cody suppressed a laugh and looked over to his friend."By the way, was Kyle with you? And where exactly are we?"
"This is where Academia is hiding! Also where Rin is!" Yugo grinned."We can finally save her."
"Not just Rin." Yuzu added to the conversation."Rin, Ruri and Serena are also there."
"Huh?!" Both of them gasped at the last name."Serena too?"
"It was Yuke..." She said slowly, her face tensing up."The leader of the Unifiers of Chaos...who is also my friend Hiraki."
"What?!" Cody practically screamed."The leader of the Unifiers of Chaos?! That scary guy?"
"So they were all taken..." Cody clenched his fists."Damn them! They can't keep getting away with this! We have to go and stop them!"
Cody walked over to Yugo, putting a hand on his shoulder."We're going to take them down together. I have a score to settle with that manga guy."
"And I have to defeat that grinning bastard!" Both of them shook hands. Yuzu could only stare at them, a gentle smile on her face. It reminded her of the time they first met and acted like brothers.
"Regardless, we're going to have to talk to sensei about it." Asuka informed the Synchro Duelists."We can't stand aside while Academia keeps crushing our duelists. We have to go to Academia."
"Agreed." Cody nodded."It's better if we go now before the Unifiers of Chaos reach us. I have to go get my D-Wheel so we can start going."
"I'll go with you!" Yuzu yelled unintentionally."I-I mean...there's space for two, right...?"
Asuka smiled knowingly and simply shrugged."She means it'd be faster if we went in your vehicles. I'll go with...Yugo, was it? Let's not waste any more time."
Yugo and Cody went for their D-Wheels and waited for the girls to get on board, giving them a pair of helmets. At first, Yugo was rather nervous due to Asuka's chest pressing against him but got over that. While Asuka and Yugo went ahead, Yuzu and Cody followed them from a considerable distance.
"I want you to tell me everything. What happened?" Yuzu asked Cody, tightening her grip on his stomach."After we all got separated."
"Well, not sure about the others, but it was a catastrophe on my side." Cody began explaining."When the Unifiers revealed themselves, I went to look for you but I couldn't find you. Yuya entrusted me to find you but no matter where I look, I couldn't. I eventually ran up to Ace and someone else. A guy nameds Daisuke. He was after you as well and I chased him around for hours."
"Was he part of the Unifiers of Chaos too?" Yuzu asked, feeling rather nervous.
"Can't say for certain." Cody gave a shrug."But they seemed to have been in some sort of conflict before Yugo and I got to the area. Anyways, I challenged himn to a duel but he outmatched me. For a moment there, I thought he was going to card me but luckily he left. Still though...he defeated me and I couldn't do much. I would have just been carded and I wouldn't have been able to see you."
"Don't say stuff like that Cody. What matters is that you ARE here!" Yuzu reassured him."I'm happy you were looking for me...and that Yuya entrusted you to finding me. I hope he's okay..."
Cody grimaced slightly, a sense of jealousy taking over his mind for a bit but decided to change the subject."What about you? How did you even get here in the first place?"
"I was running away from Security and avoiding the Unifiers of Chaos with the help of people from the Synchro Dimension. However, I was captured by one of them and got taken to-"
"Roget." Cody finished for her.
"Yes." Yuzu nodded timidly."It wasn't long before everyone came to rescue me, but Roget persisted and would not give up. He treated me so harshly..." She said, rubbing her wrists."However, much to my surprise, Yuke ended up killing Roget and the Unifiers confronted us. They opened some sort of portal that Roget had been working on and that's how we all got separated."
"Roget is dead? And to think Yuke killed him." Cody pondered at that thought."You mentioned he is actually someone else, right? A friend of yours? From what you're telling me, he must still think of you as a friend if he really murdered Roget, though he deserved it."
"Gosh, I hope so. I wouldn't want him to stay like that forever." Yuzu said softly, reminiscing of the times they spent with Hiraki."I hope we find a way to reverse him back."
"I have a feeling we will. After all, we're going to probably encounter him along the way to Academia and if he still remembers, then he'll come out of whatever trance they put on him." Cody noticed Yugo stopping by a gate along with Asuka and joined them quickly. Once inside, the group was led by Asuka as she gave the Synchro Duelists a tour of their place while also calling everyone to join them to the church.
"So, that's our story, sir." Cody finished talking to Yusho.
Yusho rubbed his chin in thought."I see. I didn't know Synchro was also involved in this. And to think you look so much like Yuya." Yusho addressed Yugo and glanced at Asuka who had a determined look on her face."Very well. I am going as well. I want to make sure to return my students back to normal as well as Hiraki."
"That's too bad." A soothing voice echoed through the room."I am afraid you won't get outside of here."
"And you will never reach Academia." Another voice spoke as well. Everyone turned around to the opened door and saw two familiar figures standing outsider
"Naho! Dennis!" Yuzu recognized them instantly."It can't be!"
Naho gave a light chuckle."My, my. I was beginning to think you didn't survive the dimensional teleportation, dear. I thought you were floating in the ends of the dimensions helpless waiting for death to arrive."
"Why don't you come with us?" Dennis rose his hand slightly."Make things easier for both sides."
"Don't screw with me!" Cody stood protectively in front of Yuzu."I'm not letting either of you get your hands on her!"
"What, a hero?" Naho mused with a giggle."Certainly, you don't seriously intend to get in my way? I plan to take Yuzu Hiragi and that exactly what I will do."
"Naho!" Yusho sensei stumbled forward, taking a good glance at his former student."What happened to you? Why are you doing this?"
"You wouldn't understand, Yusho-sensei." Naho shook her head."Regardless, let us get to business, shall we?
"Hold up! As I said, we're not letting you through!" Cody kept on insisting.
"Ah, I remember you two." Dennis mused with a smile."Cody, you dueled against Yuya, didn't you?" He noticed Cody's face and continued."I was informed of the duel by some of my comrades, you see. Isn't that so, Naho-chan?" Naho simply nodded.
"Regardless of that, your masks have been peeled off!" Cody countered quickly."Even if you both of you tried, you couldn't deceive us!"
"Ha!" Naho laughed loudly, almost scoffing."Fool. Do you really believe you had us under control? I must have you know that we were merely playing our parts. And as you can see, it has worked. Now Synchro has fallen and we've located you."
"Yusho-sensei." Dennis addressed the man on the chair."I believe fate brought you over to the Fusion Dimension. Now, you can witness how my ability to entertain the audience has far exceeded yours. I even brought a gallery." Behind them, a group of Academia students protected their backs.
"Well shit." Cody bit his lower lip."How did they even find this place?"
"Eyewitnesses reports, primarily." Naho brushed a strand of hair out of her face."Not only that, but those motorcycles of yours are pretty loud in a quiet place like the docks."
Dennis adopted a sinister expression on his face, facing Yusho."By all means, sensei, watch your students grow"
"Yugo, let's handle these two!" Cody cried out to his best friend."We can't just stand aside and let them do whatever they want!"
"No!" Yusho suddenly spoke up."I'll accept the challenge."
Naho smirked but didn't look surprised. She signaled Dennis to go forward and duel Yusho while she observed. Something was definitely up.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I heard lasers over here." Kurono pointed over to the corner of the street.
"Alright! Let's go over there!" Gongenzaka nodded firmly."Perhaps we can find a clue of what's going on here." Yuya and the others nodded, following the sound of what sounded like...
"Wait...doesn't that sound like machines guns? The ones from the monsters that Academia have?" Yuto wondered, giving his counterpart a worried look.
"Yeah...Ancient Gear monsters..." Yuya frowned upon remembering the time he lost control and summoned Rebellion Dragon."We have to hurry!" The group rushed over to where the bullets were coming from and saw that it was coming down a big set of stairs that connected to a lower part of the city. There, they saw a familiar pinkette girl along with Cody.
"Yuzu! Cody!" Yuya waved at them, his happiness evident.
"That's..." Cody's eyes narrowed, nearly mistaking the boy in front of him once more for Yugo."Yuya."
"Yuya!" Yuzu seemed relieved to see her childhood friend alive and well. Not only him but also Gongenzaka and even was glad to see Sawatari. The group rushed down the stairs, following Yuya until out of the blue, he was kicked down and pinned on the ground by a person with long purple hair.
"Kachidoki!" Cody heard Yuzu yelled out the person's name.
Dennis and Naho watched from afar, amused by how quickly Kachidoki went to work."He's quite a beast, isn't he? To think there are people like him in Standard Dimension."
"Indeed. All I had to do was exploit his desire for revenge against Yuya." Dennis remarked."Anyways, let's leave this to him, shall we? We've got more important things to handle."
"Agreed. We best move now." Naho and Dennis jumped out of the car and began parkouring away.
Kurono instinctively dashed on their trail and out of the corner of his eye saw Kaito following closely."Kurono! I'll leave Naho to you! I'll chase after Dennis and meet you later!"
Kurono nodded to his comrade and looked over his shoulder."You guys take it from here! We won't let them escape! We'll be fine!"
"No way! I'm going too!" Yuto took a step forward but was held back by Gongenzaka."Gongenzaka?"
Gongenzaka shook his head in disapproval."They've entrusted us with things over here. While Yuya duels Kachidoki, we must fend off Academia." Yuto relented almost begrudgingly but knew that Kurono and Kaito were more than capable of handle things.
Naho's smile grew wider as she saw Dennis separating from her in order to chase after Yusho. However, she had other plans in mind. Even though she was wearing a dress, it didn't limit her mobility and flexibility.
"Hey! Wait!" Kurono called out to her to no avail."She runs incredibly fast in that thing. I'd be boiling alive if I was running in that." He shook his head to dismiss the thought."All I want is to talk to you!"
"Talk to me? What could you possibly want to ask?" She said with disinterest."I don't think I recognize you. Perhaps are you a new ally to the Lancers?"
"I am Kurono Asayi!" Kurono said as he dodged the pedestrians walking on the street. A trail of people was following them curiously but they paid no mind to them."I come from the Ritual Dimension along with my brother, Kyle!"
"Kyle...?" She pondered at the name."Ah. Yuke mentioned him before. He was already defeated but not carded so you shouldn't worry. Your brother should be safe and sound elsewhere. Why don't you go look for him instead of chasing me?"
"Because I want to help you! I know that before you weren't a bad person! You are Kurosaki's and Kaito's friend! There's no way you could be! The Unifiers of Chaos are being manipulated by someone else!"
"Whether or not that's the case, I know what I want. And what I want is for this world to be reborn! I want to fight for our utopia! You wouldn't understand. Your land was already devasted and you focus only on the simple-minded people." Naho stopped in the middle of a park, next to a fountain."But since you're nice enough to accompany a lady, I suppose I should reward you." She activated her Duel Disk, her crimson eyes shining."A duel!"
"Fine! But I'll save you no matter what!" Kurono activated his Duel Disk. People began to gather around them forming a giant circle around.
"Duel!"
Kurono vs. Naho LP: 4000
"I'll take the first move! From my hand, I Summon Madolche Magileine!"
Madolche Magileine Level 4, Spellcaster, Earth, ATK: 1400, DEF: 1200
"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can add a "Madolche" card from my Deck to my hand! Next, I activate the Field Spell, Madolche Chateau!" Their surroundings began changing and various amounts of sweets appeared lying around the spectators who gave a round of applause."As long as this card is in play, all "Madolche" monsters gain 500 ATKs and DEFs!"
Madolche Magileine ATK: 1900, DEF: 1700
"I set one card face-down and end my turn." Naho concluded her turn."Your turn, white knight."
"Fine! It's my turn! I draw! I summon Gishki Noellia!"
Gishki Noellia Level 4, Water, Spellcaster, ATK: 1700, DEF: 1000
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Golden Ticket! I can treat this card as any Level necessary to perform a Ritual Summon! I activate the Ritual Spell, Gishki Aquamirror! I tribute Noellia, now treated as any Level monster I wish, to Ritual Summon!"
Noellia jumped inside a part of the mirror while the other side began shining intensely."Legendary beast that awaits at the bottom of the ocean! Reveal yourself through the mirror or truth! Ritual Summon! Appear, Level 6! Evigishki Gustkraken!"
Evigishki Gustkraken Level 6, Water, Fiend, Ritual, ATK: 2400, DEF: 2000
"Impressive. So, this is a Ritual Summon? I guess the Lancers did go to the Ritual Dimension to get help." Naho remarked."However, what can you possibly do with a primitive monster like that?"
"Gustkraken's effect! When it's Ritual Summoned, I can randomly look at two cards in your hand!"
Naho furrowed her brow but relented as two cards flew up and revealed themselves as two monster cards."One of them will be sent back to the deck! I select the one on the right!"
"Marvelous! You did my job for me!" Naho praised with delight."From my hand, I activate the effect of Madolche Lapulesu! When a card either in the hand, field, or graveyard is shuffled into the Deck, I can Special Summon this card!"
Madolche Lapulesu Level 4, Earth, Spellcaster, ATK: 1400+500= 1900, DEF: 500+500= 1000
"Well...bring it." Naho taunted, smiling sweetly.
"If you insist! Battle! Evigishkin Kraken attacks Magileine! Cyclone of the Seven Seas!" Gustkraken began spinning around, her tentacles hitting Noellia at an incredible speed before it exploded.
Naho LP: 3500
"A foolish move, if I may say!" Naho rose her hand in the air."I activate my Trap Card! Madolche Tea Party! I can activate this card once I have taken battle damage and one of my monsters is destroyed! I can shuffle any cards destroyed during this turn on my side and draw cards equal to that number! Since only one card was destroyed, I draw a card and shuffle Magileine back to my Deck!"
"So that's the gimmick of your Deck, huh? It's very interesting." Kurono praised her."I set a card and end my turn."
"My turn! Draw! If there are no monsters in my graveyard, I can Special Maldoche Petingcessoeur from my hand!"
Maldoche Petingcessoeur Level 4, Earth, Fairy, ATK: 1400+500, DEF: 1400+500
"Furthermore, Maldoche Petingcessoeur's effect activates! When she's successfully Special Summoned on the field, I can Special Summon a Madolche monster from my Deck to the field! And that monster has its level reduced by one! Come, Madolche Puddingcess!"
Madolche Puddingcess Level 4 (due to effect), Earth, Fairy, ATK: 1000+500=1500, DEF: 1000+500=1500]
"And due to her own effect, if I have no monsters in my graveyard, she will gain 800 ATKs and DEFs!"
Madolche Puddingcess ATK: 2300, DEF: 2300
"This is bad...is she about to XYZ Summon?" Kurono wondered aloud.
Naho chuckled heartily at that and shook her head."No. I'm afraid I have other things planned. A good beatdown is what fools as you need once in a while. Battle! Puddingcess attacks Gustkraken!"
"What?! But your monster is a lot weaker than mine!" Kurono pointed out.
"At this moment, I will activate Lapulesu's second effect! I can send her back to my Deck and shuffle and all monsters on my field will gain 500 ATKs until the end phase!" Lapulesu's vanished into thin air and her particles were absorbed by her companions.
Madolche Puddingcess ATK: 2300+500=2800
Madolche Petingcessoeur ATK: 1900+500= 2400
"I activate my Trap Card, Ritual Dark Arts! For the rest of this turn, my monster cannot be destroyed by battle...however, its ATKs are reduced by half..."
Evigishki Gustkraken ATK: 1200
Kurono felt the vicious blows the maidens were delivering to his monster and by extending him.
Kurono LP: 1200
"Woah! She got him really good!" One of the spectators said in shook."He's already taken extreme damage!"
"Not only is she a sweet princess, but she's also powerful to back herself up!" Said another.
Kurono shook his head, giving the self-proclaimed princess a smirk."That was a nice play. I see that's why you didn't simply XYZ Summon like I thought you would."
"It wasn't the right time. I preferred to do damage over doing fancy moves by XYZ Summoning." Naho explained to him."There are certain situations in which staying low benefits you more than being flashy, you see. However, I sure hope that's not the best you can do. Otherwise, I would have wasted my time for nothing. I end my turn."
"And at this time, your monster's ATKs are reduced by 500 ATKs." Kurono reminded her."Also, Gustkraken's ATKs are set back to normal as well.
Madolche Puddingcess ATK: 2300
Madolche Petingcessoeur ATK: 1900
Evigishki Gustkraken ATK: 2400
"My turn! I draw! I summon Gishki Beast in ATK mode!"
Gishki Beast Level 4, Water, Beast, ATK: 1500, DEF: 1300
"I activate his effect! When he's successfully Normal Summoned on the field, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or Lower "Gishki" monster from my Graveyard! The one I choose is Gishki Noellia!
Gishki Noellia Level 4, Water, Spellcaster, ATK: 1700, DEF: 1000
"You're not the only person here who can XYZ Summon! The Ritual Dimension is a lot stronger than you give us credit for!"'
Naho looked perplexed at the statement."Could it be...? You're going to-"
"I use the Level 4 Noellia and Beast to construct the Overlay Network!" Both of Kurono's monster entered a black vortex as he began to chant."Ancient warrior of depths come forth and give your soul into this battle! XYZ Summon! Arise, Rank 4! Evigishki Merrowgeist!"
Evigishki Merrowgeist Rank 4, Water, Aqua, XYZ, ATK: 2100, DEF: 1600, OU: 2
"Quite impressive. I didn't expect you to pull up an XYZ monster like that. What an interesting bunch you are...Lancers. No wonder you have managed to best a handful of our members."
"Thank you for the compliment." Kurono slightly bow."However, I wouldn't say I am a Lancer. I'm their ally and I lead the Militia from the Ritual Dimension! The same dimension your leader originates from...or so I thought."
"What in the world are you implying?" Naho cocked her head."Yuke is from the Ritual Dimension along with Wendy."
"Except that Yuke is not exactly who you think he is. As you all, he's also being brainwashed into doing all of this but he's gone to the extreme. They changed his entire personality and altered his body. The one called Yuke is in fact my comrade, Hiraki Sotari!"
People in the crowd began murmuring to each other, not understand what they meant and simply shrugged it off as them roleplaying to make the duel more entertaining.
"Nonsense. Have you lost your mind? First, you claim you want to help me and then you spout that nonsense? I seriously do not understand who you even considered that I would believe such a story."
"Then I'll just have to show you my words! Battle! Merrowgeist, attack Madolche Petingcessoeur! Trajector Spear!" Merrowgeist rode on its seahorse toward Petingcessoeur and impaled her with its spear, destroying her.
Naho LP: 3300
"Next, Gustkraken attacks Puddingcess!" Gustkrane began spinning around, turning itself into a tornado and sending its tentacles towards the remaining monster like bullets.
Naho LP: 3200
Naho dusted her dress carefully and found something wet and red around her shoulder. Blood. She looked at her own blood and discovered that a piece of rubble had flown over and cut her shoulder slightly."All of that for a drop of blood?"
"Wait, did you just make a reference to-"
"However! Thanks to the effect of my Trap Card, Madolchje Tea Party, I can draw cards equal to the number of monsters destroyed during this turn! I shall draw two cards! Also, the destroyed monsters are shuffled back to my Deck!
"Damn it! Unless I get rid of her Spells and Trap Cards, I won't go anywhere in this Duel. She'll just continue to recycle her Deck and get extra cards in her hand. I have to break through that combo. I set a card and end my turn!"
"Good luck with that. Make this duel fun, will you not? My turn! Draw! Ah, an excellent card for this situation. I activate the Spell Card, XYZ Control! I target an XYZ monster my opponent controls and summon a copy of itself on my field!"
Evigishki Merrowgeist Rank 4, Water, Aqua, XYZ, ATK: 2100, DEF: 1600, OU: 2
"Furthermore, from my hand, I activate the Spell Card, Madolche Battle Frontline! I can target an XYZ monster on my field and send it to the graveyard to Special Summon an XYZ monster that's a Rank higher!"
The copy of Merrowgeist turned into green energy and entered a black vortex as Naho chanted."Beautiful entity that rules the land of all the sweet! Take flight to indulge the world with your delicious treats! Rank-Up: XYZ Change! Come forth, Rank 5! Madolche Green Apple Pie!"
An elegant fairy appeared on the field with two wings that were covered in sparkles and a wand on her hand. She had a little hat shaped like an apple on top of her head.
Madolche Green Apple Pie Rank 5, Earth, Fairy, ATK: 2600+500=3100, DEF: 2000+500=2500, OU: 1
"So finally she's getting serious." Kurono noted with a grim."I better be careful with that monster."
"I detach an Overlay Unit to activate Green Apple's effect! All monsters on the field are gifted an "Apple" Counter and as long as they have that, my monster can attack all of them! Battle! Green Apple attacks Evigishki Merrowgeist! Fallen Sin!
"I activate the Trap Card, Aquamirror Swirlpool! All Spells and Trap Cards on the field are destroyed! Furthermore, the effects of our monsters will remain negated!"
Naho looked in horror as her entire field spell slowly disappeared and her trap card turned black
Madolche Green Apple ATK: 2600, DEF: 2000
"Regardless, I still destroy your monsters!" The fairy created an apple using her wand which increased in size and landed on top of Merrowgeist, crushing it.
Kurono LP: 700
"Maybe, but now you're exposed." Kurono adopted a grin."From now on, the real duel starts."
Naho remained looking at him silently with contempt."I set a card and end my turn."
"Naho. I promised you I would save you from this. And I will do exactly that. It's my move! I draw! From my hand, I summon Gishki Marker!"
Gishki Marker Level 4, Water, Aqua, ATK: 1600, DEF: 1200
"I activate Marker's effect! I can target a Ritual Spell or Monster card from my graveyard and add it to my hand! I add Gishki Aquamirror and activate it!"
Once more a mirror appeared in the middle of the field and both gishki monsters were absorbed by it.
"Ancient giant who sleeps in the bottomless ocean! Return to life and appear from the mirror that shows the truth! Ritual Summon! Appear, Level 10! Evigishki Zielgigas!"
Evigishki Zielgigas Level 10, Water, Aqua, Ritual, ATK: 3200, DEF: 0
"That's a huge monster!" Naho gasped upon seeing the creature.
"Battle! Go, Zielgigas! Destroy Madolche Green Apple with Thunderous Tsunami!" Zielgigas readied its four arms and towered over Green Apple like a giant, delivering a storm of punches down that created shockwaves which caused some spectators to lose balance and fall.
Naho LP: 2600
"A well-done move, but I'm afraid it is not enough to stop me! I activate the second effect of Madolche Front Line! When the monster that was Summoned due to its effect is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can Special Summon an XYZ monster from my Extra Deck with the same rank with its effects negated! Arise, Madolche Puddingness Chocolat-a-la-Mode!"
Madolche Puddingness Chocolat-a-la-Mode Rank 5, Earth, Fairy, XYZ, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2200, OU: 0
"I set a card! Turn end!" He concluded."I didn't manage to beat you, but at least I took down your defenses. It's about time before I can reach your heart and stop you."
Naho grumbled under her breath."Do not say such things to a maiden like myself. It's my turn! I draw!" Naho's eyes widened at the card she had drawn.'I see. So I drew it already. I could either play around a bit more but I barely have any options left besides ending the duel as quickly as possible. I didn't want to admit this, but he's quite talented. It appears that his knowledge in battle and experience has made him stronger...no...all of them. The Lancers have gotten exponentially stronger since our encounter with them at Synchro. That would explain how they were able to take down the other four.'
Naho checked her watch on her Duel Disk.' Reinforcements should be coming any time soon to our previous location. I better stop wasting time and finish this.' She took out a card from her hand and showed it."I believe it's time to settle this! I activate the Spell Card, Chaotic Fusion! I fuse Madolche Puddingness Chocolat-a-la-Mode with another copy of Madolche Puddingcess from my hand!"
A purple thunder struck the ground as both monsters were absorbed by a blood-colored vortex."Magnificent maiden that rules in the world of despair and chaos! Rise above the cloud of darkness that surrounds this cursed kingdom! CHAOS Fusion Summon! Come, Level 8! CHAOS Madolche Strawberry Queen!"
CHAOS Madolche Strawberry Queen Level 8, Earth, Fairy, Fusion, ATK: 2900, DEF: 2300
"I activate my Trap Card, Aquamirror Set Price! Both of our monsters are banished for two turns and we each get to draw a card!"
Naho gritted her teeth, barely able to contain her frustration.' Curse him. I can no longer use Strawberry Queen's effect since it only activates when she's Fusion Summoned on the field. Neither can I Special Summon with Chaotic Fusion's Effect.' She relaxed her shoulders, a smile gracing her lips."Very well. I shall set the card I drew and end my turn."
"My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card, Gishki Sacrifice! I banish a Gishki monster from my graveyard to add a Gishki Ritual Spell from my graveyard to my hand! Also, I draw two cards from my deck but I have to return one of them to the top of my Deck!" He drew two cards and with a smirk, place the other on top.
"So, you already know what you're going to draw for the next turn?" Naho said with a saccharine smile."While that might be good, your chances are already limited."
"Just keep paying attention, lady." He said, winking."Now from my hand, I summon Gishki Chain in ATK mode!"
Gishki Chain Level 4, Water, Sea Serpent, ATK: 1800, DEF: 1000
"When Chain is Normal Summoned, I can excavate the top three cards of my Deck and reveal one Ritual Spell or Monster I draw and add it to my hand. The rest are placed to the top of my Deck!" He said as he took a new card from his Deck."It's ready. Battle! I direct attack you with Gishki Chain!"
Gishki Chain took out a long chain and began spinning it around before throwing it at Naho. At the end of the chain, a small dagger was attached tightly and scratched Naho's cheek.
Naho LP: 800
"I set a card and end my turn! Now, after your turn, our monsters will return from the banish zone to our respective fields."
Naho cleaned the blood off her cheek, moaning in pain."It cut deeper than I thought. This has gotten out of hand. But fortunately, I still have the means of winning this Duel. My move! Draw! I summon Madolche Butler!"
Madolche Butler Level 2, Earth, Spellcaster, ATK: 600, DEF: 1000
"I activate Butler's effect! I can Special Summon another copy of itself from the deck when it's the only card on my field!"
Madolche Butler Level 2, Earth, Spellcaster, ATK: 600, DEF: 1000
"I overlay the two Level two Butler on my field and construct the Overlay Network!" Both monsters turned into green energy and entered a black vortex."Serving the royal family for generations to come! Gracious movements that satisfy the masses! XYZ Summon! Take the floor, Rank 2! Madolche Service Maid!"
A beautiful woman with silver hair, green eyes appeared on the field wearing a maid outfit.
Madolche Service Maid Rank 2, Earth, Fairy, XYZ, ATK: 1000, DEF: 2000, OU: 2
"Now, by detaching both of her Overlay Units, I can reduce the ATK of your monster by 1000 and make you shuffle the top card of your Deck to the graveyard!"
Gishki Chain ATK: 800
Kurono took a step back, eyes widened in awe."No way!" The top card of his Deck turned golden and entered the graveyard, vanishing."Damn it! She saw right through me!"
"I knew you would try to do something fun with you messing with the top cards of your Deck." Naho wagged a finger."I won't let you get the upper hand against me any longer. This time, I'm taking the reins of this Duel! Battle! Go, beautiful Maid! Clean this creature up!"
The maid's eyes grew bigger and turned into flames as she pulled a broom from out of nowhere and flew over to Gishki Chain and began smacking it down hard, making it explode.
Kurono LP: 500
"They're LP are almost the same!" One of the spectators noted.
"Whoever can land the finishing blow now shall be the victor!"
"I end my turn." Naho bowed."Now, it's your turn. Which means..."
Both Strawberry Queen and Evigishki Zielgigas appeared on their respective field.
"My turn! I draw!" He grimaced upon seeing the card."No good. I have to stall for a bit until I can get another card. Battle! Go, Zielgigas! Destroy Strawberry Queen!"
"Fool! Like I'd let you! I activate my Trap Card Madolche Shazam! When my opponent attacks one of the monsters I control, I can switch the target to another monster I control and increase its ATKs to half of the attacking monster! Service Maid's ATKs will increase by 1600!"
Madolche Service Maid ATK: 1000+1600= 2600
Zielgigas proceeded to destroy the maid, causing Naho to fall on her butt.
Naho LP: 200
"A valiant attempt." She complimented him, standing up again."However, my monster is still on the field."
"I know. You really are strong. Perhaps one of the strongest duelists I've ever faced. I set a card! Turn end!"
Naho's eyes widened, a sardonic smile appearing on her face."Then it's my turn! I activate Strawberry Queen's effect! I can shuffle any number of "Madolche" cards in my Graveyard and have her gain 400 ATKs per card! I currently have six monster cards! Which means she'll gain 1600 ATKs!"
CHAOS Madolche Strawberry Queen ATK: 3500
"Not only that, your monster's ATKs go down by the same amount!"
Evigishki Zielgigas ATK: 1600
"Blast!" Kurono said, flabergasted
"Battle! Take him down, Strawberry Queen and end this duel once and for all! Strawberry Rain!" The queen rose her wand in the air and began spinning it in circles, creating a ring of energy that she later threw at Zielgigas and grew in size before squeezing the monster tight. Naho pointed a finger at Zielgigas almost as if she were holding a gun as her monster did the same."Bang!"
The ring exploded, creating a massive shockwave that sent dust everyone crashing down to the ground.
"And that settles that." Naho breathed out in relief.
"Not yet!" Kurono cried out from the smoke. After it dissipated, Zielgigas was still standing on the field."I activated my Trap Card, Aquamirror Light! Battle Damage is halved and my monster is not destroyed..."
Kurono LP: 50
"Impossible! That attack should have finished you off!" Naho gritted her teeth in frustration."I-I-I..."
"Naho! During my turn, I'll bring an end to this Duel and bring you back to the light! I won't let you keep walking in this path full of chaos any longer!"
Naho's gazed softened momentarily before turning back to a look of rage."Do not make a mockery out of me! I set one card and end my turn! Bring it! My monster cannot die by your weak attacks!"
"We'll see about that! My turn..." Kurono grabbed the top of his Deck with passion."I have to draw that card! I draw! I activate the Spell Card, Pre-Preparation of Rites! I can add one Ritual Spell and Monster from my Deck and add them to my hand whose name is listed on said Ritual Spell! Furthermore, I activate the Ritual Spell, Aquamirror Nucleomirror! I offer Zielgigas as a sacrifice to Ritual Summon a monster whose Level is 8 or higher!"
Zielgigas disintegrated into particles in the shape of cubes and began morphing."Gracious knight that sleeps at the bottom of the ocean! The path to victory is ahead! Bring justice to this world filled with chaos! Ritual Summon! Descend, Level 8! Evigishki King Neptune!"
Evigishki King Neptune Level 8, Water, Aqua, Ritual, ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000
The cubes took shape of a muscular young man with golden hair, a beard, and blue eyes. He was clad in azure-colored armor and was holding a trident on his right arm.
"He's...beautiful..." Naho murmured to herself as she tried not to look at the intense light coming from the monster.
"I activate King Neptune's effect! When he's Ritual Summon, I can equip him with the Equip Spell, Golden Lance!"
The trident changed from being a regular one to one made with ruby, letting a dim glow of crimson.
"Let's end this! Naho! Battle! King Neptune, slay the evil queen and return hope to the kingdom! Final Lancer!" The king gave a battle cry and sprinted over to the queen.
"Naive! I activate my Trap Card, Madolche Dance Night! When my opponent declares an attack, I can target that monster and reduce its ATKs to zero! I told you, you're not getting the better of me any longer!" A swirl of wind was sent over to King Neptune but he simply kept running, cutting through the current."What?!"
"King Neptune is unaffected by card effects. Meaning your Trap Card is useless against him!"
Naho looked horrified but kept on persisting."Still, Strawberry Queen is still stronger than your mere king! It's all for naught! Naught I tell you!"
Kurono frowned, pointing dramatically at her."Golden Lance has a SPecial Effect! When it's equipped to King Neptune, every time he battles, his ATKs are doubled!"
Evigishki King Neptune ATK: 6000
Naho's eyes abandoned all hope as did her heart. She could only stare as the king pierced through the queen and sent her to the sky before she exploded, creating a shockwave that sent Naho flying to the ground.
Naho LP: 0
Winner: Kurono
The crowd began cheering and whistling loudly, satisfied by the amazing duel they just witnessed. Kurono walked over to Naho and sat down next to her, offering a smile.
"That was a good duel. Honestly, I wasn't certain that I could win." He admitted.
With a gasp, Naho began tearing up a bit, her eyes changing from crimson to green."I remember now. Tariko and I went to fetch some canned goods for our camp...when our dimension was being attacked. There we saw a woman...Seiko...she beat us and took us in. We were so distraught because we kept hoping Yusho-sensei would save us but he never came."
"It's all over now. You are safe. You won't be controlled by them any longer." Kurono grabbed her hand gently."No one blames you for any of this. It was out of your control."
"Your friend...you said he is Yuke...or at least he used to be that," Naho said between breaths.
"Yeah." Kurono smiled sadly."But we also don't blame him for anything either. We'll save him along with the others. Leave it to us. We'll stop Academia."
Naho's face turned red, in trance at the words of the young man before her."I..." She stopped, noticing she couldn't feel her legs anymore. In horror, they watched as her body began disintegrating."I seem to have run out of time."
"Naho!" Kurono squeezed her hand tighter.
"Please." She looked at him tenderly."Save Makoto and Ruri...I'm...counting...on you..." Her body faded into the air, leaving the people confused as to what happened, however, they simply thought it was a sort of magic trick and clapped louder. Meanwhile, Kurono, got back on his feet and looked to the horizon.
"I've got your message, Naho." He began running towards where Kaito had run."Kaito, please be alright!"
Cody and the other lancers clapped to the duelists that had just displayed a duel that began from revenge and ended in a happy ending. Yuya extended his hand to Kachidoki as he explained to him why the people around them were clapping.
Before Kachidoki could extend his hand to Yuya, a purple light engulfed him and turned him into a card that flew over to a feminine hand behind them.
"That's..." Yuya gasped.
"No way..." Yuzu was also petrified at the figure.
There, Wendy stood holding Kachidoki's card with a sinister smile planted on her face."Now...who will be my first victim~!"
New Cards:
Golden Lance
Equip Spell
This card can only be equipped to a "Evigishki King Neptune". When Evigishki King Neptune battles a monster or is targeted for battle, double its ATKs until the end phase.
Evigishki King Neptune
Water/Aqua/Ritual/Effect
ATK: 3000, DEF: 2000, LV: 8
Monster Effect: You can Ritual SUmmon this card with any "Gishki" Ritual Spell Card. This card is unaffected by card effects. When this card is Ritual Summoned, you can equip a "Golden Lance" equip Spell from your Deck
CHAOS Madolche Strawberry Queen
Earth/Fairy/Fusion/Effect
ATK: 2900, DEF: 2300, LV: 8
Monster Effect: 1+ Madolche Rank 5 XYZ monster + 1 "Madolche" monster. When this card is Fusion Summoned, you can target two cards on your opponent's field and return them to the hand. Once per turn, you can shuffle any number of "Madolche" monsters in your graveyard and shuffle them to the Deck. This card gains 400 ATKs per monster returned.